Baked Eggs Florentine

Here's a baked eggs recipe to try.

In order for the eggs to cook properly, it's critical to add them to the hot filling-lined ramekins quickly. Use 6-oz ramekins with 3-1/4-inch diameters, measured from the inner lip. It's imperative to remove the eggs from the oven just after the whites have turned opaque but are still jiggly - carryover cooking will finish the job.

Ingredients

• 2 T unsalted butter
• 1 large shallot, minced
• 1 T all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup half-and-half
• 10 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and squozen dry
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• salt and pepper
• 1/8 tsp dry mustard
• 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
• pinch cayenne pepper
• vegetable oil spray
• 6 large eggs

Preheat the oven to 500 and adjust an oven rack to the middle position.

Make the Spinach Filling In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 T butter. Add 1 minced shallot and stir and cook until it’s softened. Stir in 1 T flour and stir and cook for another minute. Then stir in 3/4 cup half and half, bring to a boil, and whisk constantly. Turn the heat down to a simmer and stir until it’s a thick sauce – 2 to 3 minutes. Take the pan off the heat and stir in 10 oz thawed frozen spinach, 1 cup grated parmesan cheese, 3/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1/8 tsp dry mustard, 1/8 tsp nutmeg, and a pinch of cayenne.

Make Spinach Lining Lightly oil six 6-oz ramekins and evenly divide the spinach among them. Using the back of spoon, push the filling an inch up the sides to make 1/8″ thick layer. Shape the the remaining filling in the bottom of the ramekins into 1-1/2-inch mounds with a shallow indentation in the center large enough to hold the eggs.

Heat the Ramekins and Filling Put the ramekins in a 13×9 glass baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven until the filling just starts to brown – about 7 minutes. Rotate the baking dish halfway through baking.

Gently crack 6 eggs into individual cups or bowls. After you pull the hot ramekins from the oven, gently pour an egg into each hot ramekin, centering the yolk. Spray each egg surface with a little oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Put the dish back in the oven and bake until the whites are just opaque but still jiggle – about 6 to 8 minutes. (Extra heat will cook the whites after they’re out of the oven.) Rotate the dish halfway through baking.

Pull the ramekins from the oven and let them sit on a wire rack until the whites are firm and set – about 10 minutes. The yolks should still be runny.

Advance Prep If you’d like to prep this ahead of time, do the steps up to and including lining the ramekin with the spinach filling. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 3 days. Then, heat the lined ramekins an extra 3 to 4 minutes to take the refrigerator chill  off (10-11 minutes total) before proceeding with the recipe.

Link to Baked Eggs Lorraine: http://recipetools.gotdns.com/mags/CI/119/CI-119.html#Baked_Eggs_Lorraine

Ciambotta (Italian Ratatouille)

Tried this new version of ratatouille, which the hubby loved.

Pestata:
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
1/3 cup fresh oregano leaves
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Process all ingredients in food processor until finely ground, about 1 minute, scraping sides as necessary. Set aside.

A relative of pesto, pistou, picada and gremolata, pestata is a potent garlic, herb, and olive oil puree. When stirred into the ciambotta toward the end of cooking, its grassy bite freshens and brightens the rich, earthy flavours of the stew.

• 12 ounces eggplant, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 tsp. salt
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped (mine was about 10.5 oz)
• 1 pound russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 1/4 cups water
• 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, drained with juice reserved and chopped coarse
• 2 zucchini (8 ounces each), seeded and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 red or yellow bell peppers, stemmed, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 cup shredded fresh basil

Instructions:

1. Toss eggplant with 1½ teaspoons salt in bowl. Line surface of large plate with double layer of coffee filters and lightly spray with vegetable oil spray. Spread eggplant in even layer over coffee filters. Microwave eggplant, uncovered, until dry to touch and slightly shriveled, 8 to 12 minutes, tossing once halfway through to ensure that eggplant cooks evenly. (I don't have a microwave so I sliced the eggplants a day before I made the stew.)
2. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in Dutch oven over high heat until shimmering. Add eggplant, onion, and potatoes; cook, stirring frequently, until eggplant browns and surface of potatoes becomes translucent, about 2 minutes. Push vegetables to sides of pot; add 1 tablespoon oil and tomato paste to clearing. Cook paste, stirring frequently, until brown fond develops on bottom of pot, about 2 minutes. Add 2 cups water and chopped tomatoes and juice, scraping up any browned bits, and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and gently simmer until eggplant is completely broken down and potatoes are tender, about 20 to 25 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch skillet over high heat until very hot. Add zucchini, bell peppers, and ½ teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are browned and tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Push vegetables to sides of skillet; add pestata and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir pestata into vegetables and transfer vegetables to bowl. Add remaining ¼ cup water to skillet off heat, scraping up browned bits.
4. Remove pot from heat and stir reserved vegetables and water from skillet into vegetables in Dutch oven. Cover pot and let stand for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Stir in basil and season with salt to taste; serve.

Lentil, Mushroom & Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie

From Kitchn.

Makes 6 servings

5 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed
1 cup brown or green lentils, washed and picked over
3/4 cup dry steel cut oats
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound cremini mushrooms, divided
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
3/4 cup low-sodium vegetable stock
1/4 cup red wine
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Prick each sweet potato several times with a fork and place on a baking sheet. Roast for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until very soft to the touch. Set aside to cool.

In a medium pot, combine the lentils, oats, bay leaf and salt with 5 cups of water. Bring to a boil and lower heat. Simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until lentils are soft but not mushy, stirring occasionally to keep the oats from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Discard bay leaf and drain mixture into a colander or sieve.

While the lentils and oats are cooking, finely chop half of the mushrooms and set aside. Cut the remaining mushrooms into quarters. Warm the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the quartered mushrooms and a pinch of salt and cook until browned and soft. Add the chopped mushrooms, onion, carrot, celery and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft and translucent. Lower heat to medium and add the lentil and oat mixture, followed by the vegetable stock, wine, tomato paste, soy sauce, paprika, and parsley. Taste and add salt if needed. Simmer mixture for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add a few grinds of black pepper.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Peel sweet potatoes with your hands and place in a medium bowl. Use a fork to mash them into a smooth paste and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Evenly spread the lentil mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. (For thicker layers, use a 9x9-inch pan.) Spoon the sweet potato mixture on top and smooth with a spatula. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling at the edges.

Additional Notes:

• Both the filling and the roasted sweet potatoes can be made ahead and refrigerated up to 2 days before assembling and baking.

• This recipe freezes well; after assembling, cover and freeze. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake uncovered at 350°F for 35-45 minutes, or until filling is bubbling at the edges.

• Leftover mashed potatoes can be used in place of the sweet potatoes.

• Use tamari in place of soy sauce and double-check that you are using gluten-free oats

Pan-Seared Vegetables

From Kitchn

How To Pan-Sear Any Vegetable for a Quick Weeknight Side Dish

What You Need

Ingredients
1 lb veggie of choice — like broccoli, asparagus, brussel sprouts, or carrots
1-2 tablespoons grapeseed oil, olive oil, or other favorite cooking oil
Pinch red pepper flakes
Kosher salt (to taste)
1/2 lemon

Tools
Large skillet or wok
Spoon

Instructions

1. Rinse, dry, and chop the vegetables. Rinse the vegetables under cool water, dry them thoroughly, and then chop them into bite-sized pieces. You want a blackened, slightly charred exterior on these vegetables, so the drier the vegetable the better the crust.

2. Add the oil to the stir-fry pan and heat over medium-high to high heat. Add just enough oil to film the bottom of the pan with a thin coating. Since this method requires cooking at high heat, using an oil that has a higher smoke point like grapeseed oil will be best; however, olive oil will also work fine if you don't have grapeseed on hand. Just watch the temperature more carefully so you don't smoke up the kitchen.

3. Add the vegetables to the hot pan. When the oil begins to shimmer and you see a slight wisp of smoke, add the vegetables to the pan. Sprinkle the red pepper flakes and salt over the vegetables. Lay the lemon cut-side down on the bottom of the pan.

4. Cover and cook for 2 minutes, undisturbed. Cover the pan with a lid and let the vegetables cook without stirring for two minutes, until they are blackened on the underside. I'm a guy who loves to flip and stir things, but for this I have to tell myself to wait and it'll be worth it. Now's a good time to pour a glass of wine or open a beer.

5. Remove lid and check on the doneness. Give the vegetables a quick toss and let the other side blacken for another 1-2 minutes.

6. Remove veggies from pan, and finish with the squeeze of lemon. Transfer the vegetables to a serving platter or individual plates. Squeeze the blackened lemon half over the vegetables, and enjoy.

Soups

Healthy Soup Recipes to Boost Metabolism

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/recipe_slideshows/healthy_soup_recipes_to_boost_metabolism?slide=1#leaderboardad

Bean & Barley Soup

Makes: 4 servings, 2 1/2 cups each
Active time: 30 minutes | Total: 45 minutes
To make ahead: Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 6 months.
Cost per serving: under $4

This hearty bean and barley soup tastes like it has simmered for hours, but actually it's quite quick to throw together. Plus this recipe for healthy bean and barley soup freezes beautifully. If you have cooked barley on hand, omit the quick-cooking barley and stir in 1 1/2 cups cooked barley along with the broth in Step 2.

1 1/2 cups cooked barley along with the broth in Step 2.
4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium fennel bulb, cored and chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 15-ounce can cannellini or other white beans, rinsed
1 14-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
3/4 cup quick-cooking barley
1 5-ounce package baby spinach (6 cups)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

1. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, fennel, garlic, and basil; cook, stirring frequently, until tender and just beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes.
2. Mash 1/2 cup of the beans. Stir the mashed and whole beans, tomatoes, broth and barley into the pot. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the barley is tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in cheese and pepper.

Per serving: 323 calories; 7 g fat (2 g sat, 4 g mono); 4 mg cholesterol; 55 g carbohydrate; 0 g added sugars; 13 g protein; 13 g fiber; 767 mg sodium; 795 mg potassium. Nutrition bonus: Vitamin A (98% daily value), Vitamin C (67% dv), Folate (28% dv), Potassium (23% dv), Calcium (20% dv), Iron (18% dv).

Half-Hour Chili

Makes: 6 servings, about 1 1/3 cups each
Active time: 15 minutes | Total: 30 minutes

This truly tasty half-hour vegetarian chili is made possible by using convenient canned beans and tomatoes (no pantry should be without them). Whole-grain bulgur adds another layer of toothsome texture and nutritional heft. This chili is relatively mild, so it's a good crowd-pleaser. If you like it spicy, add extra chili powder or serve with hot sauce.

1 tablespoon canola oil
3 medium onions, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped jalapeño pepper
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1-2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 28-ounce can plus one 14-ounce can whole tomatoes, chopped, with juices
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 15-ounce cans red kidney beans, rinsed
1/3 cup bulgur (see Note)
1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt for garnish
1/3 cup chopped scallions for garnish
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro for garnish

1. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions, carrot, jalapeño, garlic, chili powder to taste and cumin. Cook, stirring often, until the onions and carrot are soft, 5 to 7 minutes.
2. Add tomatoes with their juices, sugar and salt; cook for 5 minutes over high heat. Reduce heat to low; stir in beans and bulgur. Simmer until the chili is thickened, about 15 minutes.
3. Garnish with yogurt, scallions and cilantro, if desired.

Per serving: 217 calories; 3 g fat (0 g sat, 2 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 40 g carbohydrate; 1 g added sugars; 10 g protein; 13 g fiber; 697 mg sodium; 854 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin A (49% daily value), Vitamin C (43% dv), Potassium (25% dv), Folate & Iron (24% dv), Magnesium (20% dv).

Note: Bulgur is made by parboiling, drying and coarsely grinding or cracking wheat berries. Don't confuse bulgur with cracked wheat, which is simply that-cracked wheat. Since the parboiling step is skipped, cracked wheat must be cooked for up to an hour whereas bulgur simply needs a quick soak in hot water for most uses. Look for it in the natural-foods section of large supermarkets, near other grains, or online at kalustyans.com, buylebanese.com.

Smoked Turkey, Kale & Rice Bake

Makes: 6 servings, about 1 1/3 cups each
Active time: 20 minutes | Total: 40 minutes
Cost per serving: under $2.50

This hearty one-skillet dinner is loaded with celery, kale, tomatoes and quick-cooking brown rice. It's easy to make the recipe vegetarian by substituting smoked tofu for the turkey.

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups thinly sliced leeks, white and light green parts only
1 cup thinly sliced celery
4 cups slivered kale leaves
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 cup low-fat, no-salt-added cottage cheese
1 cup instant or quick-cooking brown rice
6 ounces smoked turkey breast or smoked tofu, chopped (1 1/2 cups)
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, or to taste
1 cup shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese

1. Heat oil in a large, ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add leeks and celery and cook, stirring frequently, until beginning to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Add kale and tomatoes and cook, stirring, until the kale begins to wilt, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in cottage cheese, rice, turkey (or tofu), water and pepper. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook for 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, position rack in upper third of oven; preheat broiler.
3. Stir the rice mixture, increase the heat to medium and cook, uncovered, until most of the liquid has evaporated, 10 to 12 minutes. Spread cheese on top. Broil until the cheese is bubbling, 2 to 3 minutes.

Per serving: 266 calories; 11 g fat (5 g sat, 4 g mono); 33 mg cholesterol; 26 g carbohydrate; 0 g added sugars; 18 g protein; 4 g fiber; 605 mg sodium; 596 mg potassium. Nutrition bonus: Vitamin A (147% daily value), Vitamin C (60% dv), Calcium (26% dv), Magnesium (18% dv), Potassium (17% dv).

Chicken Coconut Curry

Makes: 6 servings, about 1 1/2 cups each
Active time: 50 minutes | Total: 1 hour
Cost per serving: under $3.50

At once comforting and exotic-tasting, this rich chicken coconut curry stew will warm you on chilly winter evenings. Chunks of potato, lean chicken and loads of veggies make it a meal in a bowl. Enjoy with a fruity white wine like Gewurztraminer or Chenin Blanc to tame the heat. Using "lite" coconut milk instead of full-fat in this healthy curried coconut chicken stew recipe trims roughly two-thirds the fat and calories without sacrificing flavor.

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size cubes
6 teaspoons curry powder, divided
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
2 tablespoons coconut oil or canola oil, divided
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 14-ounce can "lite" coconut milk
1 14-ounce can reduced-sodium chicken broth
4 cups 1-inch chunks Yukon Gold potatoes (about 3 medium)
1 cup sliced carrots
1/2 cup chopped celery
3/4 cup frozen peas
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar

1. Place chicken in a medium bowl. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon curry powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt; toss to coat. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook, stirring once or twice, until mostly browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
2. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in the pot and add onion and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is starting to soften, 2 to 4 minutes. Stir in the remaining 5 teaspoons curry powder and cook, stirring, until fragrant but not browned, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add coconut milk, broth, potatoes, carrots, celery and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring often. Reduce heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes and carrots are tender, 10 to 12 minutes.
3. Return the chicken to the pot and add peas. Increase heat to high and continue cooking until the chicken is cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes more. Remove from the heat and stir in cilantro and brown sugar.

Per serving: 346 calories; 12 g fat (8 g sat, 1 g mono); 63 mg cholesterol; 31 g carbohydrate; 2 g added sugars; 29 g protein; 5 g fiber; 574 mg sodium; 934 mg potassium. Nutrition bonus: Vitamin A (77% daily value), Vitamin C (29% dv), Potassium (27% dv), Iron & Magnesium (16% dv).

Eggplant Parmesan (or Parmigiana)

Eggplant Parmesan

Eggplant Parmesan

Eggplant Parmesan

Tomato Sauce

Tomato Sauce

Tomato Sauce
Homemade Tomato Sauce
From Simply Recipes

Ingredients:
2 TBL olive oil
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1 small carrot (or 1/2 large carrot), finely chopped
1 stalk of celery, including green tops, finely chopped
2 TBL chopped fresh parsley
1 clove garlic, minced
2 TBL chopped fresh basil
1 28 ounce can whole tomatoes, including juice, or 1 3/4 pound fresh tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
1 teaspoon tomato paste
Salt and pepper

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet or pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, carrot, celery and parsley. Stir to coat. Reduce heat to low, cover pot/skillet and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until vegetables are soft and cooked through.
2. Remove cover and add minced garlic. Increase the heat to medium high and cook for 30 seconds. Add tomatoes. If using canned tomatoes, shred with your fingers (or use kitchen shears to break them up). Add tomato paste and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a low simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook (uncovered) until thickened, about 15 minutes. Use blender, food processor, etc. to give it a smooth consistency.

More Vegetarian Dishes

Vegetarian Casserole Recipes

Egglant Recipes

Meatless Comfort Food Recipes

Eggplant Parmesan

This Italian-American classic doesn't have to be heavy. We kept the breadcrumb coating light and delicate so that the eggplant's flavor can shine.

Ingredients

• 2 cans (28 ounces each) whole peeled tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 2 large globe eggplants (about 2 pounds total), cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup plain dried breadcrumbs
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/2 pound whole fresh mozzarella, cut into large chunks

Directions

1. In a food processor, puree tomatoes; transfer to a medium saucepan and stir in olive oil. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer and cook until thickened, 30 minutes. Season tomato sauce with salt and pepper.
2. Meanwhile, in a colander, toss eggplant with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Let stand 30 minutes. Press slices between a double layer of paper towels to dry. Dredge eggplant in flour (shaking off excess), then dip in eggs (allowing excess to drip off), and sprinkle lightly with breadcrumbs.
3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet; set aside. In a large skillet, pour enough vegetable oil to come halfway up side. Heat oil over medium-high until pinch of breadcrumbs dropped in skillet sizzles. In batches, fry eggplant until golden, 2 to 3 minutes per side; transfer to rack to drain.
4. Spread 1 cup tomato sauce in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Layer half the eggplant over sauce and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan. Top with 1 1/2 cups sauce, then remaining eggplant. Finish with remaining sauce, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and mozzarella. Bake until lightly browned and bubbling, 40 to 45 minutes.
5. To Freeze: Assemble dish but do not bake; wrap tightly with foil and freeze, up to 3 months. Thaw completely, then bake as directed.

Lasagna Primavera

Layered with delicate veggies, a creamy sauce, and three cheeses, this lasagna captures the freshness of spring -- straight from the freezer.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for foil
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 cups whole milk
• 2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen peas
• 1/2 pound carrots (4 to 5), halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 container (15 ounces) part-skim ricotta (about 2 cups)
• 1 large egg
• 1 package (9 ounces) no-boil lasagna noodles (12 to 16 noodles)
• 1 pound part-skim mozzarella, shredded
• 1 cup grated Parmesan

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium; add flour and garlic. Cook, stirring constantly, 2 to 3 minutes (do not let flour mixture darken); whisk in milk. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, and cook, whisking occasionally, until thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add spinach, peas, and carrots; season with salt and pepper. Set sauce aside.
2. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and teaspoon pepper.
3. In the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of vegetable sauce. Layer noodles, half the remaining vegetable sauce, another noodles, half the ricotta mixture, half the mozzarella, and half the Parmesan; repeat.
4. Cover dish with lightly oiled aluminum foil, and place on a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake 45 minutes, uncover, and bake until bubbling and browned, about 20 minutes more. Let cool 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

Cook's Note

To freeze: Prepare through step 3. Cover lasagna tightly with plastic wrap, then aluminum foil; freeze up to 3 months.

To bake from frozen: Remove plastic wrap; cover baking dish with lightly oiled aluminum foil, and place on a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. Remove foil, and bake until bubbling and browned, about 30 minutes more. Let cool 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

Baked Pasta with Chicken Sausage

This recipe makes two pans of pasta. Serve one tonight, and keep the other in the freezer for up to three months.

Ingredients

• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium red onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup vodka (optional)
• 1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes with juice, lightly crushed with hands
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 pound rigatoni
• 10 ounces baby spinach
• 12 ounces smoked chicken sausage, halved lengthwise and sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 6 ounces fontina cheese, 4 ounces cut into 1/2-inch cubes and 2 ounces coarsely grated
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic. Remove from heat; add vodka, if desired. Return to heat; cook until almost evaporated, 1 minute.
2. Stir in tomatoes and oregano; cook until tomatoes are falling apart, 10 to 15 minutes. Add cream; cook until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Season sauce with salt and pepper.
3. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cook pasta in the boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions. Add spinach, and cook just until wilted. Drain, and return contents to pot.
4. Add tomato sauce, sausage, and cubed fontina to pot; toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Divide evenly between two shallow 1 1/2-quart baking dishes.
5. Top with grated fontina and Parmesan. Bake until browned and edges are crisp, 20 to 30 minutes.

Cook's Note

To freeze, prepare the dish through step 4; let cool completely before covering tightly with plastic wrap and placing in the freezer. If you freeze this dish, do not thaw before baking. Remove plastic wrap, and cover with foil. Cook until heated through, 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours. Remove foil, and continue with step 5.

Tex-Mex Beef Enchiladas

This recipe is easily doubled; you can bake one batch tonight and freeze another for a no-fuss weeknight meal.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
• 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) reduced sodium chicken broth
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 small chipotle chile in adobo, minced, plus 1 tablespoon sauce (from a small can)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3/4 pound lean ground beef
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 8 corn tortillas (6-inch)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (6 ounces)
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Directions

1. Make sauce: In a medium saucepan, heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil over medium. Add flour and cook, whisking occasionally, 1 minute. Add broth, chili powder, chipotle and adobo sauce, and 3/4 cup water; bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Reduce heat, and simmer until lightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
2. Make filling: In a 10-inch nonstick skillet, heat remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil over medium-high. Add onion, garlic, and beef; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until cooked through, about 8 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. (If freezing, don't place any sauce in baking dish.) Spoon 1/4 cup sauce in bottom of an 8-inch square baking dish. Set aside. Make enchiladas: Stack tortillas; wrap in foil, and warm in oven, 10 minutes. Fill each with a heaping 1/4 cup beef mixture and 2 tablespoons cheese; tightly roll up.
4. Raise oven heat to 450 degrees. Arrange enchiladas, seam side down, in baking dish. Top with remaining sauce; sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, until hot and bubbly, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving. Serve garnished with cilantro and, if desired, a green salad.

Cook's Note

To freeze: Make sauce and enchiladas; arrange enchiladas in baking dish without sauce (so tortillas don't become soggy). Place sauce in an airtight container. Cover dish with plastic wrap and foil. Label, date, and freeze enchiladas and sauce. Use within 2 months; bake without thawing. To bake from frozen: Thaw sauce in refrigerator overnight. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Remove foil and plastic wrap from baking dish. Pour sauce over top and sprinkle with cheese; cover with foil. Bake 30 minutes. Uncover; bake until lightly browned and bubbly, about 15 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes; serve.

Crispy Pan-Fried Beans and Wilted Greens

From The Kitchn.

Serves 2 as a main dish or 4-6 as a side

Adapted from Super Natural Every Day by Heidi Swanson and Plenty by Yotam Ottolenghi

8 oz (1/2 bunch) swiss chard
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
12 oz (2 cups or 1 15-oz can) cannelloni or other white beans, drained and rinsed
Zest from one lemon
Juice from 1/2 lemon
1 teaspoon za'atar spice blend (or cumin & chili powder; smoked paprika; herbes de provence)
1-2 teaspoons salt
Good quality extra-virgin olive oil

Trim the center stem from the swiss chard and slice the leaves cross-wise into ribbons. Chop the stems into bite-sized pieces.

Heat one teaspoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the onions with 1/2 teaspoon of salt until they are very soft and uniformly golden-brown, 8-10 minutes. Stir in the garlic and the chopped chard stems, 1 minute. Transfer the onion mixture to a bowl.

Warm another 1-2 teaspoons of oil, enough to coat the entire bottom of the pan. Add the beans and spread them into a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes without stirring. Stir and spread them out again. Repeat until all the beans are blistered all over. Adjust the heat as needed to prevent burning the beans.

Stir the chard leaves, the za'atar, and another 1/2 teaspoon of salt into the beans. Stir until the chard is completely wilted and tastes tender, 3-5 minutes. Add the onion mixture back in, along with the lemon zest and juice from 1/2 lemon. Stir and taste. Add more lemon juice, salt, or other seasonings to taste.

Serve immediately, drizzling a little extra-virgin olive oil over each dish. Add a poached egg, a scoop of pasta, or a piece of toast to make a more complete meal. The beans will lose their crispiness as they cool, but leftovers still make a tasty meal. This dish will keep refrigerated for up to a week.

Apple Tart

Courtesy of The Wednesday Chef.

Ingredients
Dough 

• 1 cup all purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1/2 teaspoon of sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon of salt
• 6 tablespoons (3 ounces) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1 inch cubes  
• 3 to 5 tablespoons of cold water

Filling

• 2 pounds of apples, peeled, cored and sliced (do not through out scraps) 
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 3 to 5 tablespoons sugar, depending on your sweet tooth

Glaze

• Apple scraps
• 1/2 cup sugar

Tools

• Rolling pin
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Plastic wrap
• Pastry brush OR paper towel

Directions

• Put the flour, sugar, salt and butter cubes for the dough in a food processor bowl.  Pulse a few times, until the butter is broken up into lima bean size pieces
• Drizzle in the cold water one tablespoon at a time, processing or mixing as you go until the dough just holds.  You may need more or less water depending on your climate
• Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface, and quickly gather into a 4-inch-wide disk.  Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 3 days
• Heat oven to 400 degrees and prepare a floured work surface again.  Remove the dough from the fridge, and roll it out (turning over if you like) until its about 14 inches round.  Since it will be a rustic tart, an ovalish shape is fine
• Place the dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Crowd as many apples as you can in concentric circles over the dough, leaving a 2 inch border. Fold the dough over the edges of the apples, leaving an open middle
• With a pastry brush or folded up paper towel, brush the butter over the apples and exposed upper crust. Top with a little sugar
• Slide into the oven on the center rack, and bake for 45 minutes, rotating halfway through
• Meanwhile, start the glaze by dumping the apple cores, peels, sugar and any leftover apple chunks in a sauce pan. Add water until the apple bits are just covered. Bring to a boil and cook for up to 30 minutes.  Strain the liquid, discarding the trimmings.  Return the liquid to the pan, and reduce until syrupy.  About 10-15 minutes
• When the tart is finished, pull off the parchment paper and let cool on a rack for 15 minutes. Brush the glaze over the apples and enjoy warm or at room temperature

Meatballs in Tomato and Chipotle Sauce

From The Wednesday Chef.

Serves 6 to 8 (about 34 meatballs)

Meatballs12 ounces ground pork
12 ounces ground beef
1 medium zucchini
8 peppercorns
1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/4 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1. Place the ground pork and beef in a food processor and pulse several times. Transfer to a large bowl. Trim the ends of the zucchini and chop finely. Add to the bowl.

2. Finely grind the peppercorns and cumin seeds in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle and add to the meat. Add the oregano, eggs, onion and salt and gently use your hands or a spatula to thoroughly combine all the ingredients. 
3. Gently form the mixture into 1 1/2 -inch meatballs. Place on a baking sheet and refrigerate while making the sauce.

Sauce and finish
2 pounds tomatoes
2 to 4 chipotle chiles en adobo, more or less to taste
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3/4 cup chicken broth
Salt

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Core the tomatoes and place them in the boiling water. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain the tomatoes and cool for a few minutes.

2. Process the tomatoes and chipotle chiles in a blender or food processor until smooth.

3. Heat the oil in a large skillet and add the tomato sauce. When it comes to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the chicken broth. When the sauce comes back to a simmer, add the meatballs.

4. Cover the pan and simmer the meatballs over low heat until they are cooked through, about 50 minutes. Adjust the seasoning by tasting and adding salt just before the end of the cooking time. This dish can be prepared a day ahead or can be frozen and reheated.

Potato Salad (Kartoffelsalat)

From My Berlin Kitchen. The salad is best if dressed a few  hours before serving but it's also delicious eaten right away when it's still slightly warm.

Makes 4 servings

2 pounds Yukon Gold or other waxy potatoes
3 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 yellow onions, finely chopped
1/3 cup white wine vinegar
2/3 cup beef or chicken broth
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons olive or sunflower oil
1 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2/3 cup loosely packed flat-leaf parsley, minced

1. Wash the potatoes and put them in a pot with cold salted water just to cover. Bring to a boil with the lid on; then reduce the heat to medium and cook the potatoes until they are just tender. Depending on their size, this should take between 20 and 30 minutes. Drain the potatoes and let them cool for at least an hour or two and up to overnight.

2. Peel the potatoes and cut them into very thin slices, about 1/8-inch thick. Put the potato slices into a serving bowl.

3. Melt the butter in a 10-inch saute pan and add the onions. Mix well and cook for 3 minutes over medium heat. Pour in the vinegar and the broth. Add the mustard and stir well. Let the mixture simmer over low heat for an additional 3 minutes.

4. Carefully whisk in the oil, and then pour the hot marinade over the sliced potatoes and mix well. The potatoes will take a few minutes to absorb all the dressing. Add the salt and as much freshly ground pepper as you’d like.

5. Just before serving, add the minced parsley to the bowl and mix well. Taste for seasoning and serve.

Fake Baked Beans

From The Wednesday Chef. 

Serves 4

3 15-ounce cans of pinto beans
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup molasses
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
A pinch of smoked Spanish paprika

1. Put the beans, with their liquid, in a pot. In a small bowl, mix together ketchup, molasses, vinegar, mustard powder, Tabasco and pepper. Pour mixture into beans and stir well.

2. Bring everything to a simmer. Let simmer over low heat until beans are thickened, about 30 to 45 minutes. Season with salt if needed.

Bandiera (Italian Ratatouille)

Bandiera is the Italian version of ratatouille.  Ingredients are layered into one pot.

Starting at the bottom:
Potatoes
Carrot chunks
Sliced peppers
Cubed Eggplant
Zucchini
Shreds of plum tomatoes (on top and around)

Pour olive oil and sprinkle with plenty of salt and basil. Stew for an hour.

Ham & Vegetable Soup

I have two leftover ham bones in the freezer waiting to be turned into delicious soup.

This is the perfect soup to serve on chilly rainy days. All you need to complete the meal is warm crusty rolls or bread.

1 leftover ham bone (with a small amount of ham still attached to bone)

1 large onion, chopped

2 bay leaves

16 cups (4 L) cold water

21/3 cups (575 mL) soup mix (a dry mixture of yellow and green split peas, red lentils, alphabet pasta, pot barley and rice)

11/2 teaspoons (7 mL) dried Italian seasoning

6 large carrots, sliced

2 celery stalks, sliced

Put ham bone, onion and bay leaves in large heavy pot. Add water. (The ham bone should be completely covered. If necessary, add a little more water.) Place over high heat and bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer for 4 hours. Remove from stove, uncover and let cool, then cover and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, remove fat from surface of ham stock; discard fat. Remove ham bone from pot; set aside. Place pot of ham stock over high heat and bring to a boil.

Meanwhile, cut ham from bone; discard bone. Cut ham into bite-size pieces (we had about 2 cups/500mL); refrigerate until ready to add to soup.

When stock comes to a boil, add soup mix and Italian seasoning. Return to a boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer for 50 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add carrots and celery to soup. Increase heat and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes or until carrots and soup mix are tender, stirring occasionally.

Add ham and cook for 2 minutes or until ham is heated through. (If you prefer a thinner soup, add a little water until reaching desired consistency.)

Remove and discard bay leaves. (Make ahead: Chilled soup can be frozen in airtight container for up to 1 month.)

Makes about 12 servings.

Approximate nutritional analysis for each serving: 190 cal, 12 g pro, 2 g fat, 33 g carb. Excellent source of vitamin A, thiamine and folate. Very high in fibre. Low in fat.

TIP: A (450 g) bag of soup mix yields 21/3 cups (575 mL).